Contactor



P 1943- \H. L. VAN VALKENBURG 2,329,016

CONTACTOR Filed Dec. 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Shae; l

INVENTOR f/trlrzon A [Jail 421ml;-

A RNEY p 1943- H. L. VAN VALKENBURG 2,329,016

' CONTACTOR Filed Dec. '7, 1940 2 Sheet Sheet 2 it A? II II I I 9 I II 3 fl" I INVENTOR E .5. Hermon J, fink/107E103:

ATI'O EY Patented Sept. 7, 1943 T OFFICE V 'conrac'roa Hermon L. Van ValkenbIn-lr,

Wauwatosa, Wla,

asslgnor to Square B Company, Detroit, Mich hinm a corporation of Mic Application December '1, 1940, Serial No. asap Claims. (01. 290-98) This invention relates to electric circuit controlling instrumentalities and more particularly to electromagnetically operated switches wherein the contacts are moved to closed position by electromagnetic means and retained in this position by mechanical means.

One object of the present invention is to provide in an electromagnetic switch improved latching means for mechanically holding the contacts in their closed position. j

Another object of the present invention is to provide in an electromagnetic switch a mechanical latching means to hold the contacts in closed position and improved magnetic means for actuating the latching means for release of the contacts. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedv form of electromagnetic switch in which the contacts are moved to closed position by momentary energizatien of one set of magnetic coils and are released by momentary energization of a second set of magnetic coils.

Other objects and features of this invention are readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and appended drawings illustrating certain preferred embodiments in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an electromagnetic switch embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial front elevational view of the electromagnetic switch embodying the present invention.

Liigure 3 is partial vertical sectional view showing the latch in engaged position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken onrthe line ill-4W of Figure 3. I

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line if-4 of Figure l, F'gure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line Viim of Figure 3. r

The electric switch as herein illustrated and ascribed emhodies the main struotuml and oprating features of "1 Van oveznber 2d,, M 1

described in the applice-.

insulated into and out of engagement with the stationarycontacts. A more detailed description of the com tact block 2, thestationary contact assemblies 3 and 4 and the cooperating movable contact elements are not necessary to a full disclosure of the present invention. These parts, however, are more fully illustrated and described in the above mentioned Van Valkenburg and Bierenfield application.

Mounted upon the supporting panel I beneath the contact block 2 and in vertical alignment are a pair of magnetic assemblies 1 and 8, magnetic assembly I being provided for eflecting reciprocable actuation of the supporting member 6 to move the movable contacts for cooperation with the stationary contacts, and magnetic assembly 8 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Magnetic assembly 1 comprises a stationary magnet structure 9 formed of generally E-shaped magnetic laminationsand a pair of supporting brackets ii. Studs l2 passing through flanged portions iii of the brackets ll serve to secure this magnet structure in place upon the panel l. Dlsposed about the central leg of the magnet structure 3 and extending therebelow is an operating coil it having terminals 15 thereon. Cooperating with the magnet 9 and pivotally connected to supporting member 5 is a T-shaped armature it having a leg ll extending into an opening defined by the coil l4 and being movable therein upon energization of the coil. A removable pin it? passed through the head of the armature l6 and received within openings provided by opposed ex tensions E9 of the supporting member 8 provides the pivotal connection between the armature and the supporting member. A pair of swingable re silient arms 2i carried by the extensions it serve to maintain the pin it in place. With the supporting member 6 connected to armatur it as described, energization of the coil H to produce a vertical and reciproeable movement of the ar mature will effect a like movement of the sup;

member and with the cared portions 28 making a tongue and slot connection with the guide member 28. The notched flange 21 is engageable with the defining edges of the narrower section 80 of slot and extends beyond these edges to overlie the bottom surface of the connecting plate 24 so that vertical movement of the supporting member 8 will effect a rotative movement of the plate. A spring 28 interconnects the guide member 28 and the extension 21 and exerts its bias to maintain the tongue and slot connection of the eared portion 28 with the guide member 28 and to properly position the extension 21. The spring 28 further exerts a downward pull upon the supporting member 8 when the latter is in its upper position to assist gravity in returning the various switch parts to their off" or downward position. The connecting plate 24 has a latching extension 29 at its inner extremity for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Disposed beneath magnet assembly 1 and adapted to engage the extension 29 of plate 24 is a latch 8| pivotally supported by a pin 82. Two horizontally spaced rectangular supporting blocks 88 secured to panel I by studs 84 carry the pin 82. Also supported by the pin 82 are a resilient or spring element 85 and a generally L-shaped link member 88, the latter having a generally L-shaped resilient element 81 secured thereto. The upper legs 88 of the link member 88 are positioned adjacent the latch 8| for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The first resilient element 85 is return bent about the pin 82, having one end thereof bearing against the latch 8| and biasing it in a clockwise direction into engagement with the extension 29 of plate 24. The magnetic assembly 8 is mounted adjacent the latch 8| for actuation thereof. A T-shaped armature 39 similar to armature I8 is pivotally secured to member 88 by a pin 40 and is acted upon and moved by the magnetic assembly 8 whose construction is similar to magnetic assembly and comprises an E-shaped magnetic structure 4| and an operating coil 42.

The operation of the switch is as follows:

The switch, as shown in Figure 1 is in the off" position. Upon energization of the operating coil l4, the armature I8 will be attracted to the stationary magnet 9, efiecting vertical movement of the supporting member 8 to lengthen the spring 28 and carry the insulated contact block 2 in a vertical direction bringing the movable contacts into engagement with the stationary contacts to complete the circuit through the switch.

Upon deenergization of coil H, the armature IS, the supporting member 8 and the movable contacts associated therewith will be urged to return to normal or off" position by the force of gravity and the biasing force of spring 28, but are prevented from doing so by latch 8|. Latch 8| is normally biased for movement in a clockwise direction by the resilient element 85 and in the oif" position of Figure 1 presses against the extension 29 of plate 24. Actuation of the supporting member 8 by armature I8 rotates the plate 24 upwardly to move extension 29 in like direction, freeing latch 8| and permitting the movement thereof under the bias of spring 85. This movement of latch 8| by the spring element 85 carries the upper extremity of the latch beneath the extended portion 28 and against a stop provided on the upper legs 88 of the generally L-shaped member 88, as shown inFigure 3. This movement of latch 8| to a position beneath the extended portion 29 prevents the return of the plate 24 to its original position and thereby prevents supporting member 8 and the movable contacts mounted thereon from moving to "of!" position.

To release the plate 24 for return movement of the parts, it is but necessary to energize operating coil 42 of magnetic assembly 8. Energization of coil 42 effects upward movement of armature 88 to rotate the L-shaped member 88 connected thereto in a counterclockwise direction against the bias of spring 81. Rotation of member 88 in a counterclockwise direction effects a like movement of latch 8| to carry it out beyond extension 29 into unlatching position. With latch 8| moved out of engagement with extension 29, the member 8 and the movable contacts are then free to move to normal "off position under the action of gravity and the spring 28.

To effect the above described operations of the various parts will require but momentary energizations of the closing coil I4 and the operating coil 42. To carry the movable contacts into engaged position and maintain them there, it is only necessary for closing coil H to be energized long enough to carry the extended portion 28 out of the path of the latch 8|, allowing the latter under the bias of spring to assume a position under this extended portion to prevent downward movement of the supporting member 8 and the movable contacts associated therewith. The coil |4 may then be deenergized for the contacts will remain closed through latch 8|. To effect release of the above named parts, the coil 4| also need be but momentarily energized because upward movement of the armature 82 on energization of the coil rotates the member 88 to move the latch 8| from beneath the extended portion 29 and out of engagement therewith to permit gravity and the spring 28 to return the member 8 and the movable contacts to ofl position. After the latch 8| has moved beyond the extended portion 29 and released plate 24, it is no longer necessary for coil 42 to remain energized. Armature 82 and the L-shaped member 88 upon deenergization of the coil will move to normal position under the force of gravity and the biasing force of the resilient element 89 into the position of Figure 1.

While certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric switch, a stationary contact, a movable contact adapted to engage said stationary contact, a pair of vertically aligned magnet structures, each comprising a magnet body portion, an energizing coil disposed thereabout,

and a pair of rectilinearly movable armature members associated therewith, the first armature member being operative upon momentary energization of its coil to move said movable contact into engaged position, a pivotal element operatively connected with said first armature member, a latching member, spring means biased thereagainst for effecting movement thereof, said latching member being normally restrained from movement by said pivotal element, said movable contact being movable to closed position and said pivotal element being movable to release said latching member upon energization of said first coil, said latching member being then movable to latching position under said spring bias to maintain the movable contact in closed position, a second pivotal element operatively connected to said second armature member and being movable thereby upon momentary energizaticn of the second coil, and being engageable with said latching member for efiecting positive movement thereof to release the movable contact and permit return thereof to a disengaged position.

2. In an electromagnetically operated electric switch, a stationary contact, a movable contact adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, magnetic means for effecting movement of said movable contact into engagement with said stationary contact, a movable element adapted to be moved by said magnetic means, a latching member, a pivotal axis therefor, spring means biased against said latching member for. effecting movement thereof, said latching member being normally restrained from movement by said movable element, said movable contact being movable to closed position and said movable element being movable to release said latching member upon energization of said magnetic means, said latching member being then movable to latching position under said spring bias to maintain the movable contact in closed position, a magnetic structure including a magnet and an energizing coil, a link member mounted on said pivotal axis adapted to engage with said latching member and having a limited independent movement thereof, an armature member pivotally mounted on said link member, said armature member upon energization of said coil moving said link member for effecting movement of said latching member to unlatching position, whereby said movable contact returns to open position.

3. In an electromagnetically operated electric switch, a stationary contact, a movable contact adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, magnetic means for efiecting movement of said movable contact into engagement with said stationary contact, spring biased latching means effective upon movement oi. said movable contact into engaged position to maintain said movable contact in said engaged position, tripping means to move said movable contact to disengaged position comprising a magnet structure including a magnet and an energizing coil, 9. pivotally mounted actuating lever, and an armature member pivotally supported intermediate its ends on said lever, said lever engaging said latching means on energization of said coil for positive actuation thereof to unlatching position to permit novement of the movable contacts to open posiion.

4. In an electric switch, a stationary contact, a nov'able contact adapted to engage said staionary contact, a pair of vertically aligned magnet structures, each comprising a magnet body portion, an energizing coil disposed thereabouts, and a pair of rectilinearly movable armature members associated therewith, one of said armature members being operative upon momentary energization of its coil to move said movable contact into engaged position, a pivotal element operatively connected with said armature member, a latching member, a pivot therefor, spring means biased against said latching member for effecting movement thereof, said latching member being normally restrained from movement by said pivotal element, said movable contact being movable toclosed position and said pivotal element being movable to release said latching member upon energization of the first coil, said latching member being then movable to latching position under said spring bias to maintain the movable contact in closed position, an actuating lever mounted on the same pivot as said latching member, the second armature member being pivotally supported intermediate its ends on said actuating lever, said actuating lever being movable upon momentary energization of the second coil to engage said latching member for positive movement thereof to release the movable contact and permit return thereof to disengaged position.

5. In an electromagnetically operated electric switch, a stationary contact, a movable contact adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, a magnet structure including a magnet and an energizing coil and an armature member rectilinearly movable for moving a movable contact to closed position when said coil is energized, a pivotal element operatively connected to said armature for movement therewith, means constantly biasing said pivotal element toward an initial position, a movable spring biased latching member normally restrained from movement by said pivotal element, said armature member upon momentary energization of said energizing coil moving said movable contact to closed position and effecting movement of said pivotal element to release said latching member, said spring biased latching member being then effective to prevent return movement of said pivotal element thereby maintaining the movable contact in closed position, and a second magnet structure including a magnet and an energizing coil and a rectilinearly movable armature member, an L-shaped pivotal member, said second armature member being pivotally supported intermediate its ends on one leg of said L-shaped member, the other leg of which is engageable with said latching member for effecting a positive movement thereof to unlatching position on energization of said second energizing coil whereupon said movable contact may return to open position.

H'EBMON L. VAN VALKENBURG. 

